Fluid Change

[TheMan419]

How many hours of labor should it take to change the fluids in a tractor? I have a boomer 24. It is in the shop and I thought while it was there I would have them change the fluids since it is close to time for that. They want 6 hours of labor. That seems very excessive to me. Oil change and HST Fluid change. 3 filters in total. We have done filter changes and oil change on the tractor and it takes an hour or so. Draining and refilling the HST fluid cannot take 5 hours.

 

[RalphVa]

Sounds excessive. I'd say 2 at the most.

Ralp

 

[Industrial Toys]

It does sound like a lot. Do they have a set time for each one that might be worst case, and are adding them all up? That would make for a nice little profit. IN GENERAL, dealer prices for servicing equipment has gone through the roof. Already some years back. They may figure a lot of people will still get them to do it. People often being lazy and not wanting to get dirty and all. To some, it's just a business expense. Most equipment shop rates around Ontario are in and around $100.00 CDN /hour.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Are you sure they're just quoting you a "fluid change"?

Maybe what they quoted you was a full (whatever hour) service. Check and adjust this-and-that, all over the tractor?

 

[TheMan419]

Are you sure they're just quoting you a "fluid change"?

Maybe what they quoted you was a full (whatever hour) service. Check and adjust this-and-that, all over the tractor?

Well if it is they did not present it as such. Just oil change and hat fluid change and of course relevant filters.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Gotcha.

I was just thinking maybe there was something else being done to warrant the extra hours of labor?

 

[rademamj1]

My Kioti dealer charged me 1.8 hrs labor to change the HST and Hydraulic filters and all hydraulic fluids.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Yeah, 2 hours tops.... they are either charging way too many hours, or doing a lot more than just fluids / filters

 

[buck12]

Two hours taking your time and that would include cleaning everything up and a grease job while waiting on stuff to drain.

 

[DMW]

Could be a subtle way of saying they don't want your business.

 

[TheMan419]

Could be a subtle way of saying they don't want your business.

Im thinking this might be the right answer. I told them to do the other work that needed to be done and I would do the fluids myself. I just thought because it was in for a leak in the front axel I would have them do fluids too. Not at that price.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I am never shy about offering my reaction to a high priced product or service. Most places are happy to explain the prices. Beats trying to get the answer from a tractor thread. lol

 

[runharley52]

Im thinking this might be the right answer. I told them to do the other work that needed to be done and I would do the fluids myself. I just thought because it was in for a leak in the front axel I would have them do fluids too. Not at that price.

I just got a bill today that was 10 hours for fluids and filters (included radiator flush)... no joke.

Called the dealer back to ask them how long it should take and their front desk told me 1.5-3 hrs as a quote.

When I then asked the mechanic how they got to 10 hours they said it probably was other work but they couldn’t give me a breakdown. My fault for not asking ahead of time but I assumed the same everything else here is saying and now they lost my business for really shady and indefensible billing.

 

[ctgoldwing]

I'm a firm believer in having a discussion before rather than after a transaction. I understand everyone has to make a profit to survive but I'm never bashful about asking for at least a 'rough estimate' for any kind of work I'm looking to be done. I usually frame the question as, "I know we both hate surprises, can you give me a rough estimate of what you think this will cost?". At least I get to make a decision rather than have regrets later.
I think the OP did the right thing in asking. No matter what the reason for the high price he had a choice.

 

[RickB]

2 hours would include changing the front axle oil, engine oil, hydraulic oil and related filters. 90 minutes or less without the front axle oil change.

That would be someone that knew what they were doing and were motivated.

 

[NWOH_Grizz]

First time I did that fluid change, it took 2 hours. Changed engine oil and filter, drained hydraulic sumps at 2 spots and 2 filters, drain and refill front axle, and drain and refill both final drives. 6 hours for that work is waaay excessive. The hardest part is removing the trans filter and cleaning the mounting surface, that was a PIA.

 

[rademamj1]

First time I did that fluid change, it took 2 hours. Changed engine oil and filter, drained hydraulic sumps at 2 spots and 2 filters, drain and refill front axle, and drain and refill both final drives. 6 hours for that work is waaay excessive. The hardest part is removing the trans filter and cleaning the mounting surface, that was a PIA.

Took me about 5 hours to change my hydraulic fluids the first time. Apparently when Kioti installs the hydraulic and HST filters at the factory, they torque them on tight and then paint over them. They really were a PIA to get off. The next time I changed those filters and fluids, it was just under 2 hrs to do everything. I do my filters hand tight only.